CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Amberwood Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was preventing and controlling infection. They found arrangements for visitors, admissions, PPE, testing, cleaning, social distancing and managing outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not covered by the targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not covered by the targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not covered by the targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This area was not covered by the targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured that infection prevention and control measures kept people safe.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 5 March 2021. It focused only on infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found systems to reduce infection risks from visitors, new admissions and contact between people. These included testing, temperature checks, isolation for new arrivals, social distancing, PPE, hand hygiene and regular cleaning.
People were supported to keep in touch with relatives through window visits and technology. Staff also took steps to reduce anxiety caused by PPE.
The home was inspected but not rated. The report says inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control, but this visit did not assess or rate the other areas of care.
Visitor infection controls
Visits were arranged by appointment and visitors were tested, given guidance and escorted directly to the person's room. Cleaning took place after visits.
“Temperatures were taken and there was 30 minute on site rapid testing for covid.” from the report
Testing and isolation
People were checked twice daily for symptoms. New arrivals were tested and supported to isolate with a dedicated staff team.
“People new to the service were tested for covid before arrival.” from the report
PPE and staff training
PPE guidance was displayed and infection prevention training was refreshed every two months.
“Staff training in infection prevention and control was refreshed every two months to ensure their knowledge and skills were up to date.” from the report
Keeping people connected
The home used technology and window visits to help people maintain contact with relatives during the pandemic.
“People had been supported to maintain contact with their loved ones throughout the pandemic using a range of technology.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are your current arrangements for visitor testing, PPE and cleaning after visits?
- 02How do you now manage new admissions, including testing and isolation?
- 03How often is infection prevention and control training refreshed for staff?
- 04What are the home's current arrangements for testing residents and staff?
- 05Can you provide information about the home's ratings and performance in areas not covered by this targeted inspection?
This was an announced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; it did not rate the other four questions or provide an overall quality rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 24 March 2021 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, June 2018
Amberwood Nursing Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with a few minor shortfalls.
This was a comprehensive inspection on 17 and 20 April 2018. The first day was unannounced. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals. They also checked care records, medicine records, staff files and how the home was managed.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, suitable training, detailed care plans, safe medicines systems and good links with health professionals. People were treated kindly and their choices, privacy and dignity were generally respected.
The home had been rated Good at its previous inspection in January 2016. This inspection found that the Good rating continued. Inspectors noted some small issues, including limited signs around the home, two medicine records without photographs and some points about dignity, food choices, feedback and monitoring accidents.
Kind and respectful staff
People, relatives and health professionals described staff as caring and approachable. Inspectors saw positive, reassuring interactions and support that promoted privacy, dignity and independence.
“Staff were kind, friendly and caring towards people.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's histories, preferences and health needs. Staff knew people's routines and supported them to make everyday choices.
“Care plans contained detailed information, including life history, to help staff support people in a personalised way.” from the report
Good health support
People were referred to health professionals when needed. Inspectors found that staff followed professional advice, including advice about swallowing, special diets and end of life care.
“We receive timely and appropriate referrals and the recommendations are always followed.” from the report
Strong end of life care
The home worked with the local hospice team and aimed to provide individualised and dignified end of life care. Relatives and a health professional gave positive feedback about this support.
“I have never had any concerns at all for the level of care, dignity, knowledge shown.” from the report
Clean and well-maintained home
Inspectors found the home clean and tidy. Equipment, fire safety systems and other parts of the building were checked and maintained.
“The home had a pleasant homely atmosphere with no unpleasant odours.” from the report
Medicine record photographs
needs fixingTwo people's medicine records did not have photographs to help staff identify them. The acting manager arranged for photographs to be added after inspectors discussed this.
“We discussed with the acting manager that two people did not have photographs on their medicine records.” from the report
Limited signs
minorThere were few signs directing people and visitors to communal areas and toilets. The acting manager said this would be discussed with the registered manager.
“We discussed with the acting manager the limited signage on display around the home to direct people to communal areas and toilet facilities.” from the report
Dignity during meals
needs fixingSome people were given protective aprons before meals and one person was left wearing one after finishing. Managers said they would remind staff to consider people's dignity.
“One person was left with their apron on for 20 minutes after they had finished their meal.” from the report
Food variety
minorPeople were generally happy with the food, but one person said they wanted a more varied diet and did not usually receive fresh vegetables or fresh fruit.
“It's reasonable. A more varied diet would be better… We get mixed veg, but it's not usually fresh.” from the report
Accident trend monitoring
needs fixingThe home reviewed accident and incident forms, but did not have a formal system for looking for trends and patterns. This could make it harder to identify repeated issues.
“There was no formal system to look at trends and patterns.” from the report
- 01What has been done since the inspection to make sure every medicine record has a current photograph?
- 02How do you make sure people are not left wearing protective aprons after meals?
- 03What fresh fruit and vegetables are available, and how are individual food preferences recorded and acted on?
- 04Have you improved signs for communal areas and toilets since the inspection?
- 05How do you now look for trends and patterns in accidents and incidents?
This was a comprehensive inspection covering the building, care and all five rating areas, with the overall Good rating compared with the previous Good rating from January 2016. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 June 2018 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Amberwood Nursing Home
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- June 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 26 October 2010.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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